Published on April 14, 2025 7:09 am
Last Updated on April 15, 2025 4:05 pm
Douglas Dean Klitzing, 69, of Centralia, died surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2025, at St. Paul “Blue Point” Lutheran Church, rural Altamont, with Rev. David Speers officiating. Burial will follow services in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to service time at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul “Blue Point” Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont.
Douglas Dean (“Dougie”) was born on Wednesday, June 15, 1955, to Belford and Vera (Rickett) Klitzing. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul “Blue Point” Lutheran Church. He happily lived for many years with countless friends and devoted caregivers at Bryan Manor, an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, first in Salem, IL, and then in Centralia, IL. Douglas was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend who would brighten the days of everyone around him with his smile and infectious personality. Douglas was born at a time when little understanding, support, or education existed for people with a learning disability, but he nonetheless thrived as a child of God, always showing his family, friends, and caretakers the power of
unconditional love and undeserved devotion. Despite many medical challenges over the years, Douglas was a fighter who bounced back and beat the odds time and again to enjoy a long, happy life filled with joy, wonder, and affection for others.
Douglas is survived by his sister-in-law, Lu Ann Drone of Altamont; his nephew, Nathan (Annie) Klitzing of Shiloh and their daughters, Adelynn Jolene, Sophia Ann, and Violet Emily; his nephew, Nicholas (Brittany) Klitzing of Winnetka and their sons, John David and Henry Edward; his niece Cassidy (Zachary) Lowry of rural Altamont and their children, Abigail Ann, Julia Marie, Grace Ray, and Andrew Dean; his nephew Cody (Rebekah) Drone of Shelbyville and their son Leo Joseph; his nephew Shawn (Paige) Drone of Altamont; and countless extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Belford William Klitzing; mother, Vera (Rickett) Klitzing; his sister, Debra Diane Klitzing; and his brothers, David Duane Klitzing, Delbert Dean Klitzing, and Donald Dennis Klitzing.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.net